“This is supposed to be the melting pot,” the Canton teen said in describing a journey of unity during a Sunday, Sept. 18, Peace Day Observance in Plymouth’s Kellogg Park. “These lessons must burn in our memory. What you say can change this land.”

She was born in Sudan and lived in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed entered an interscholastic competition to compose her unity poem/prayer for the observance. She worships at the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton.

As she finished that afternoon in Kellogg Park, she got hugs and good wishes. “Islam calls us to speak up for people,” Mohammed said. “Islam itself means peace. We are seen as the enemy of this country, but we are not. The word is United States, so why are we not united?”

She’s been called a terrorist. “But there’s also a lot of room for change,” said Mohammed, who will pursue international relations in college. “It’s beautiful to see.”

This is the third year of the Peace Day Observance, said Randy Short, pastor of Living Peace Church of Plymouth. Themes at stations around Kellogg Park included working to address bullying, domestic violence, human trafficking and treatment of immigrants and refugees.

The day’s observed locally the Sunday closest to the United Nations International Day of Peace of Sept. 21. On refugees specifically from Syria, Short noted, the international community vets them through U.N. camps.

“They don’t know which country they’re going to,” said Short, a Westland resident. “Just imagine you’ve lost everything. You have to start a new life.” The Christian call is “to be an active participant in that process. I think it needs to be an educated conversation. I think the education and conversation can reduce that fear,” he said, agreeing it’s similar to when black families started to move into once-all-white communities.

He added Syrian refugees are then vetted by their new country “so we’re making decisions based on truths rather than fears.”

Alison Lievense of Plymouth helps daughter Lexie with her origami, a symbol of peace.(Photo: Tom Beaudoin)

'Broken relationships'

The bullying, domestic violence and human trafficking issues are also key, Short noted. “Broken relationships have a hidden effect” and the focus shouldn’t be punitive, he said, as it influences how people interact.

He advocates for not judging on ideology but on relationship. Short was pleased to have Singh Sabah of Michigan, a Sikh house of worship in Canton, with them, as well as Geneva Presbyterian Church of Canton and Muslim Community of Western Suburbs.

As prayers concluded in Kellogg Park, Short said, “Engage in a conversation with someone you normally don’t converse with.”

Inderpaul Talwar of Canton, a member of Singh Sabah, said, “I think it’s something we all should practice. We should have more peace days.” His house of worship participated last year and he’s also active in the local Interfaith Community Organization.

“I think it just gets everybody to know each other,” said Talwar, who has sons ages 10 and 15. “It’s a great opportunity to intermingle with other faiths. I would say all faiths are pretty much similar” in wanting “what’s best for the children.”

He’s lived in Canton since 2001. “I feel that Canton-Plymouth is a great community. It’s a great place to raise kids,” Talwar said.

Pastor Short has been with Living Peace Church about two years. It’s been in Plymouth a little more than that and in the region since 1951.

“I think the never-ending voice of God is still there,” he said, noting his Church of the Brethren has focused on peace back to the 1600s. “It’s still the same voice of peace, peace in a different way.”

'Engage in that conversation'

Added Short, “We don’t have all the answers, but we just want to engage in that conversation.” Of changing media roles, he said the media bottom line has become more important and “framing the narrative instead of telling or reporting the narrative.”

Music and prayer from the Sikh participants was included, along with making origami peace cranes. Representing First Step, which addresses domestic violence, was Hilary Hitte, a survivor advocate.

She explained getting the word out on services, contact information, myths and facts, including for sexual assault victims, is key to First Step’s work.

“I think it has gotten better with more awareness,” Hitte said. “We still have a long ways to go. We have made some strides. And getting out in the community, that’s one of our positives.”

jcbrown@hometownlife.com Twitter: @248Julie

Pastor Randy Short of Living Peace Church, a Westland resident, encourages people to converse with others they normally don't talk with.(Photo: Tom Beaudoin)

Members of the Sikh congregation in Canton sing a beautiful song whose main theme is, “ In Your Grace, we experience ultimate Peace!” during the International Day of Peace event held Sunday in Plymouth.(Photo: Tom Beaudoin)

Living Peace Church members Connie Ellstrom and Jane Gannon come out in support of the peace effort this past Sunday afternoon in Plymouth during the International Day of Peace.(Photo: Tom Beaudoin)